Nine Sols: "Taopunk" Embraces Unique Flavor in Souls-Like Genre

Red Candle Games' upcoming 2D souls-like platformer, Nine Sols, is poised to hit Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles soon! Producer Shihwei Yang recently highlighted the game's unique features, differentiating it from other titles in the genre.

Nine Sols: A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics

Ahead of next month's console launch, Yang discussed Nine Sols' distinctive blend of gameplay, visuals, and narrative, all rooted in its "Taopunk" identity. This concept fuses Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, with the gritty cyberpunk aesthetic.

The game's visual style draws heavily from 80s and 90s anime and manga, such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. "Our art style blends futuristic technology with a nostalgic yet fresh artistic flair, deeply influenced by these cyberpunk classics," Yang explained. This aesthetic extends to the audio design, incorporating traditional Eastern musical elements played with modern instruments, creating a unique soundscape.

Beyond its striking visuals and sounds, Nine Sols' combat system is where the "Taopunk" concept truly shines. Yang described the development process as challenging, initially drawing inspiration from titles like Hollow Knight. However, this approach proved incompatible with Nine Sols' vision. The team ultimately found inspiration in Sekiro's deflection system, adapting it to create a unique 2D combat experience.

Instead of aggressive, counter-attack focused combat, Nine Sols emphasizes a calm, focused approach rooted in Taoist philosophy. The combat system rewards players for deflecting attacks and maintaining balance, a rarely explored mechanic in 2D games. This innovative approach, while challenging to develop, perfectly complements the game's overall narrative, weaving in themes of nature versus technology, and the meaning of life and death.

Nine Sols' compelling combination of gameplay, art, and story creates a truly memorable experience. For a more in-depth look, check out our full review (link provided below)!